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Mosquito-Borne EEE Virus Claims Horse In North Escambia
August 30, 2010
Eastern equine encephalitis has claimed a victim in North Escambia — a horse in the Molino area.
The horse was euthanized last week after showing symptoms of EEE, a diagnosis confirmed by laboratory tests, according to Katie Miller, spokesperson for the Escambia County Health Department. The horse was pastured on River Bend Road, near the Escambia River, not far from Fairgrounds Park.
EEE is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system. Signs of the virus include fever, listlessness, stumbling, circling, coma and usually death. The disease is fatal in horses in 90 percent of cases and fatal in about one third of human victims. It leaves many survivors with permanent brain damage.
“There have been no recent human cases in Escambia County,” Miller said.
The virus can only be spread by mosquito bites, and is sometimes spread among horses and birds in species that does not typically bite humans. Miller said that Escambia County stepped up its mosquito prevention spraying program in the Molino area last week in response to the disease confirmation.
Typically one or two human cases are reported each year in Florida, according to the Florida Department of Health. The state averages over 70 reported cases of equine EEE each year. In years when conditions favor the spread of the EEE, the number of reported equine cases can exceed 200. EEE is not believed to have the potential to cause a human epidemic in Florida.
Miller said it is still a good idea to follow the “5-D’s ” of mosquito protection:
- Don’t go outdoors at DUSK and DAWN when mosquitoes are most active.
- DRESS so your skin is covered with clothing
- Apply mosquito repellent containing DEET to bare skin and clothing. Other effective repellents include picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, and IR3535.
- Empty containers and DRAIN standing water around your home where mosquitoes can lay eggs.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services said the majority of cases of EEE and other mosquito-borne diseases in horses can be prevented through proper vaccinations. Horse owners are urged to check with their veterinarian to make sure their animals have received current vaccinations and booster shots against EEE and West Nile Virus, and that these shots are kept up to date.
Pictured: Jessica Mullins with Spirit, the Molino horse that contracted Eastern equine encephalitis. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Comments
21 Responses to “Mosquito-Borne EEE Virus Claims Horse In North Escambia”
Sorry I meant “winter” coat
The horse has a wintet coat and so does the little girl. Is this supposed to be a recent picture?
MolinoGurl 0, Horses +1. Deet will not hurt you if used properly. It has been in use for decades with no long term problems. Horses should get their shots yearly and shots can be had for EEE, West Nile and other diseases. They work great but it is still no guarantee that they won’t get ill.
I was saying if you don’t want to take care of your horse then give it to the girl. Maybe this time someone will get the horse the shots!! The was to be there horse!!!! sorry for the error!!!
TJ said O.K. To the People out there that can’t take care of there horses Why don’t you give this little girl the horse> ”
Unfortunately, while the little girl does look like she loves the horse dearly, she is not the one who makes sure there are vaccinations given. That is, indeed, the horse who was euthanized for EEE (per the caption).
sad stuff, especially seeing a beautiful sweet animal with a broken hearted little girl
Don’t let molinogurl make you mad, probably enjoys it. Sad.
Al, you are right……… This is the country Molinogurl – DEAL WITH IT OR GET OUT!!! We (horse people) were here long before you and if you don’t like it – go buy you some pavement in town and get out of here before you get bit by a mosquito…. Sorry you don’t like it here in the COUNTRY!!!!!!!!!
Molinogurl – this was country waaaay before you got here, so I vote the horses stay and you go?
I live in the area where all these horses are. It stinks through here because its turned into nothing but mud because of the horses eating all the grass and mosquitos are terrible! This is a small town in the country not the wild wild west, take your horses else before we get MORE diseases!!!!!!!!!!!!
O.K. To the People out there that can’t take care of there horses Why don’t you give this little girl the horse> Look like she cares alot!! I don’t know her at all !!!! But just take a look close!!! cry cry!!
What a beautiful, sweet horse… what a shame….
You can get your horse vaccinated for west Nile but it is not 100% coverage/ does not guarantee the animal will still not get it.
Deet all the way!! Protect yourself from the mosquitos now…deal with the harmful chemicals on a different day. You people and your herbs..geez!
DELANEY: keep in mind that the comment from Terri Sanders is only that ,
A COMMENT…..NOT a professional statement! Therefore using a mosquito repellent containing DEET is SAFER than being bit by a mosquito possibly infecting you with EEE.
mosquitos are horrible where i live. never had a virus from any tho,thank god.
All these comments are confusing… Now what do I do? Poison myself with DEET, or get bit by a mosquito that can kill me? =======——======= Don’t want to sit inside all day, even though the air is much cooler… Gotta go spin in circles now…
I am just 3 houses down from where the horse lived and I have been concerned for a while now about the mosquitos. Ever since the economy has gotten bad we never see the mosquito truck anymore. Now this happens and they have been down our road a lot since last week. Maybe that is where we should have not cut cost on. Oh well I guess our tax dollars are better spent elsewheres.
REGARDING:
“apply DEET to your skin thereby poisoning your self with harmful chemicals, the use of herbal remedies is always a better choice”
DEET is used billions of times per year, few bad side effects, those few were related to massive overdoses and/or ingestion of other pills or liquids as well.
In contrast many herbs are poisonous. Thus use of herbs is probably not always a better choice.
David who had malaria once
and didn’t like it
Be careful of the Tiger mosquito, too, that bites at all hours of the day and prefers to be indoors. They are easily recognized by their black and white banded legs, or stripes some would say. There have been several cases of Dengue fever in Florida this year from this mosquito.
http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2010/08/17/dengue-fever-increases-in-florida/
I wonder if this horse was vaccinated for EEE?
yep…. apply DEET to your skin thereby poisoning your self with harmful chemicals, the use of herbal remedies is always a better choice,that and keep our skin well covered.Which is hard to do if you are running.Hopefully I will get to where I can outrun those pesky insects. I have a kiddie pool for my dogs to get in when the weather is hot.I add a few drops of Dr.Broners peppermint or lavender soap both of which are good for repelling fleas and mosquitos.